Cause still unknown in Shawano County
By Erik Buchinger
The cause of a house explosion that left a woman dead in Shawano County is still unknown.
“We’re taking things slowly and methodically,” Shawano County Field Services Capt. Thomas Tuma said. “We have an obligation that we do a thorough job, and we intend on doing that.”
On Thursday, Aug. 17 at 5:03 a.m. the Shawano County Sheriff’s Office received report of a house fire on Richter Court in the town of Wescott.
Shawano County sheriff’s deputies and detectives, the Shawano Fire Department and Shawano Ambulance Service responded to the scene.
The residence was a complete loss as a result of an explosion and emergency responders encountered and extensive debris field.
The state fire marshall was called to assist with the investigation of this case. After an extensive, systematic search 54-year-old Diane Pickett of Shawano was located and pronounced as deceased by the Shawano County coroner.
Shawano County Sheriff’s detectives and the state fire marshall are continuing to investigate.
“We have to wait for the report from the autopsy,” Tuma said. “Our department and fire marshal have to collaborate, so it’s probably going to be quite a while before we have the information.”